What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDibutyl Adipate
EmollientCeteareth-25
CleansingCeteth-2
EmulsifyingDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientPolyester-7
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Behenate
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingPotassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingBisabolol
AntioxidantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantOryzanol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDiglycerin
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantPinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract
AntimicrobialSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Umbelliformis Extract
Skin ConditioningBuddleja Davidii Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPeucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Hydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingWater, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dibutyl Adipate, Ceteareth-25, Ceteth-2, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Polyester-7, Glyceryl Behenate, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Oryzanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Buddleja Davidii Leaf Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningHomosalate
Skin ConditioningPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberEthylhexyl Salicylate
UV AbsorberOctocrylene
UV AbsorberAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialTapioca Starch
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberCyclomethicone
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCarnitine
CleansingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
MaskingTrisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Homosalate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Octocrylene, Alcohol Denat., Tapioca Starch, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Glycerin, Carnitine, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAlso known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum